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English ¾ Honors

2023 May 19

41st Century

Primal religions, also known as indigenous or tribal religions, are belief systems that have

been practiced by various indigenous communities around the world for thousands of years.

They often have a focus on venerating natural beings as one, including animals, plants, and

people, who all can be related to their deity or deities. Primal religions also often have rites of

passage. One example of a primal religion is the Maasai religion of East Africa, which provides

insights into the customs, beliefs, and indigenous practitioners of the aforementioned traditions.

The Maasai people, an indigenous community primarily residing in Kenya and Tanzania,

follow a traditional religion that is deeply rooted in their cultural and natural surroundings. Their

religious practices revolve around the veneration of nature and ancestral spirits. The Maasai

believe in a supreme being known as Enkai or Ngai, who is associated with the sky, rain, and

blessings (Finke). They also believe in the presence of ancestral spirits that guide and protect the

community. They speak the language of Maa, although most of their members can also speak the

more widely known languages of Swahili or English (Berntsen). Their livelihood is largely

dependent on cattle herding, food cultivation, and utilizing their religion to promote to tourists.

Customs and rituals play a significant role in Maasai religious life. The community

practices communal prayer, offerings, and ceremonies to connect with the divine and seek

blessings. Cattle are central to their religious and cultural identity, and rituals involving cattle,

such as sacrifices and blessings, are performed during important ceremonies and life events

(Sobania). It is also common to see Maasai people with elongated earlobes to hang traditional

wear. The Massai people also practice both male and female circumcision as a ritual (Sobania).
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In the scenario of a post-apocalyptic North America, a primal religion might emerge as

people seek connection with their natural environment and attempt to make sense of the changed

world. With the absence of modern societal structures and technology, the focus on survival and

a deep connection with nature would shape the beliefs and customs of this new primal religion.

In this new primal religion, animals and natural elements would hold great significance.

Animals that provide sustenance, protection, or guidance in the post-apocalyptic world might be

venerated, such as the bear for its strength and resourcefulness, the eagle for its keen sight and

freedom, and the wolf for its pack mentality and hunting skills. These animals would be seen as

powerful symbols of survival and would be respected and honored, especially because they

represent the values necessary to survive in this post-apocalyptic North American society.

Conversely, natural elements that pose threats or dangers would likely be feared. This

could include phenomena such as storms, wildfires, and poisonous plants. Taboos and rituals

might develop around avoiding or appeasing these elements, with ceremonies and offerings made

to seek protection or avert their destructive forces. As in most religions, slaughtering food

sources like cattle, similar to the Massai tribe, would also be a common practice (Pavitt).

The values and skills celebrated in this primal religion would revolve around survival,

cooperation, and harmony with the natural world. Skills such as hunting, gathering, and building

shelters would be highly regarded. More likely than not, the skill of being able to utilize old

technology would also be placed in high regard. The importance of communal living and

cooperation would be emphasized, as individuals rely on each other for survival and protection.

Respect for nature and the balance of ecosystems would be a fundamental value, unlike today, as

people would be forced to recognize their interdependence with the natural environment.
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Rituals and traditions would likely center around the cycles of nature, such as the

changing seasons or celestial events. These rituals could involve communal gatherings,

storytelling, dances, and ceremonies to express gratitude, seek guidance, and maintain harmony

with the natural world. Taboos would likely develop around actions that harm the community or

disrupt the post-apocalyptic environment, such as excessive violence, or disrespect for nature.

In conclusion, a primal religion in post-apocalyptic North America would be

characterized by a deep reverence for nature, a focus on survival, and a recognition of the

interdependence between humans and the natural world. The veneration and fear of specific

animals and natural elements would be shaped by their perceived roles in the new environment.

Values and skills related to survival, cooperation, and harmony with nature would be celebrated,

while actions that harm the community or disrupt the balance of the environment would be

shunned. Rituals, traditions, and taboos would be developed to express gratitude, seek protection,

and maintain the delicate equilibrium between humans and their post-apocalyptic surroundings.
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Works Cited

Pavitt, Nigel. Africa's Great Rift Valley. United Kingdom, Abrams Books, 2001. Google Books,

www.google.com/books/edition/Africa_s_Great_Rift_Valley/gtAVAQAAIAAJ?hl=en.

Accessed 19 May 2023.

Berntsen, John L. “The Maasai and Their Neighbors: Variables of Interaction.” African

Economic History, no. 2, 1976, pp. 1–11. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3601509.

Accessed 19 May 2023.

Finke, Jens. “Maasai Introduction - Traditional Music & Cultures of Kenya.” Blue Gecko,

www.bluegecko.org/kenya/tribes/maasai/. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Sobania, Neal. Culture and Customs of Kenya. United Kingdom, Greenwood Press, 2003.

Google Books,

www.google.com/books/edition/Culture_and_Customs_of_Kenya/gfUbHXT2dloC?hl=en

&gbpv=0. Accessed 19 May 2023.